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Grand Forks resident in custody after overnight standoff

GRAND FORKS - An armed, allegedly suicidal woman held Grand Forks police at bay for several hours early Monday near downtown Grand Forks.

Police evacuated some neighbors and secured others in their homes in the 300 block of First Avenue South during the incident, which initially was reported at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The subject was taken into custody at about 5 a.m. and was taken to Altru Hospital for evaluation.

Grand Forks Police Department initially responded at 8:28 p.m. Sunday to a call for a medical assist involving a person reportedly suffering a heart attack in the 300 block of First Avenue South, near Belmont Road and just a short distance from police department headquarters.

The person reportedly in distress was located and eventually taken to Altru Hospital, according to the report.

Police then learned that the medical assist might have been prompted by a suicidal female who was armed with a firearm, police said in a news release. Police were told that there had been a confrontation over a firearm and the firearm apparently had been discharged.

Since the suicidal person reportedly had left the scene by that time, police began a search. Officers later located her back at her residence.

However, the female refused to speak with officers or leave the residence, according to the report.

Because she was believed to be suicidal and armed, neighbors either were evacuated or sheltered in their homes, police said.

The Grand Forks SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Teams eventually were deployed and the subject was taken into custody at about 5 a.m. today. The subject was taken to Altru Hospital for evaluation.

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